Where does “Marlborough” come from?
Marlborough is a place name from Old English burh (fortified town), derived from Old English burg, Proto-Germanic burgz, and ultimately Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- (to protect or fortify).
Marlborough (English): OS grid ref SU1969
Definitions
- OS grid ref SU1969
Ancestry of “Marlborough”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | -borough | Placename suffix, indicated site of a fortified... |
| 2 | English | borough | A fortified town; A town or city; A town having a... |
| 3 | Middle English | borwe | A pledge or security asset deposited as guarantee |
| 4 | Old English | burh | Alternative form of burg; fortress; hill |
| 5 | Old English | burg | city; town; a fortified place: stronghold, fort,... |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | burgz | fortification, stronghold; city |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰr̥ǵʰ- | — |